Apparatus for automatically breaking out a scored glass bracket

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for breaking out a prescored glass pattern from a glass bracket or plate which includes means for supporting the glass bracket upon an aligned template which is slightly larger than the prescored pattern. A weighted, pliable, elongated roller is rotatably movable across the supported glass bracket to cleanly break out the prescored pattern with very straight and smooth edges.

United States Patent [191 Carothers et al. 1 Nov. 6, 1973 [54] APPARATUSFOR AUTOMATICALLY 2,259,765 10/1941 Morris 225/93 BREAKING OUT A SCOREDGLASS 2,316,532 4/1943 v BRACKET 2,908,936 10/1959 Kllbom 225/93 X3,222,963 12/1965 Nablulhn et al. 225/96.5 X [75] Inventors; David B, Ca-others, Ellwood City; 3,532,259 10/1970 Augustin et al 225/2 Edward W.Rearick, Gibsonia; Lemuel R. McBride, Zelienople, all of pa PrzmaryExaminer-Frank T. Yost Attorney-Walter G. Sutcliff [73] Assignee: BillcoManufacturing, Inc.,

Zelienople, Pa.

[22] Filed: Sept. 11, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 287,972

An apparatus for breaking out a prescored glass pattern from a glassbracket or plate which includes means for [52] 11.8. C1. 225/2, 225/96.5Supporting the glass bracket upon an aligned template [51] Int. Cl C03b33/04 which is Slightly larger than h prescored pattern A [58] Field ofSearch 225/2, 96.5, 93, weighted pliable, elongated roger is rotatablymovable 225/96 across the supported glass bracket to cleanly break outthe prescored pattern with very straight and smooth [56] ReferencesCited edges UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,988,565 1/1935 Owen 225/965 14Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED NOV 6 I973 sum 1 or 3 PATENTEI] NOV 6I975 SHEET 2 OF 3 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY BREAKING OUT A SCOREDGLASS BRACKET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relatesto the glass cutting art and more specifically the breaking out ofprescored glass patterns from a larger plate or bracket of glass.

In manufacturing glass, large plates or brackets of glass are formed andlater cut and patterned to the desired useable form, such as forautomobile windows involving a variety of shapes and configurationswhich traditionally are changeable from year to year. Whenever a glasspattern is cut from the larger glass bracket it is desirable to be ableto make a clean break so that the periphery of the cut-out or broken-outpattern has smooth peripendicular edges. This obviates the need forexpensive and time consuming finishing operations which are required ifthe edge of the glass pattern is flaked or chipped.

In general, it is well known that in breaking out glass patterns it isdesirable to apply a pressure to the prescored portion of the glasswhich may be disposed upon a template in order to flex the glass with areaction very similar to hand breaking of glass. A method of applying auniform breakout fluid pressure to a prescored glass pattern is detailedin US. Pat. No. 2,291,451. The method and apparatus detailed in thisprior art teaching is to use a hinged press head with the underside ofthe press head being a fluid chamber with a flexible diaphragm wall,which is pressed down upon a supported glass bracket when the hingedpress head is pivoted into engagement with the glass bracket. The fluidchamber is then filled with fluid to apply a uniform breakout pressureto the entire glass bracket. The fluid is thereafter drained from thepressure chamber and the press head pivoted out of the way to permitremoval of the broken-out glass pattern.

Prior art breakout techniques also teach the use of two members, one oneach side of the glass bracket, with at least one member acting againstthe glass and the other member to applying a bending moment to the glassalong the score line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an automatic glassbreakout apparatus for breaking out a prescored glass pattern from aglass bracket. The apparatus comprises a support table having agenerally horizontal top surface adapted to support a rigid breakouttemplate which is patterned slightly larger than the prescored patternon the glass bracket. Means are associated with the support table foraligning and retaining glass bracket relative to the template disposedupon the support table. A pliable, elongated roller is mounted above thesupport table, and is connected to means for rotatably moving the rolleracross the glass bracket in contact with the glass bracket, whereby theprescored glass pattern will breakout cleanly and smoothly from theglass bracket.

The support table preferably includes an integral resilient conveyormeans upon which the glass bracket is supported which conveyor meansfacilitates loading, and unloading of the glass bracket from thebreakout apparatus, as well as facilitating positioning of the glassbracket over the template which is preferably supported below theresilient conveyor means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofthe breakout apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial end view partly in section of the support tableportion of the present apparatus, showing the glass bracket with thepliable, weighted roller disposed thereon.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of an overall glasshandling system in which the breakout apparatus of the present inventionis utilized.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention can be bestunderstood by reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in thedrawings. The glass breakout apparatus 10 comprises a support frame 12of four vertical members 14, which are connected together by upper andlower horizontal frame members 16 which extend between adjacent verticalmembers. A glass bracket support table 18 is horizontally disposed fromand supported above the upper horizontal frame members 16 by means of aplurality of support rods 20. The support table 18 comprises a centralhorizontally disposed frame 22, upon which is preferably disposed aplanar template support member 24, upon which a template 26 can besupported. An endless belt conveyor means 28 and drive means 3t) aredisposed about the central frame 22 of the support table 18 tofacilitate handling of the glass bracket 32 which is supported on thetop surface 34 of the endless conveyor means 28 for use.

The glass bracket 32 is best seen in FIG. 2, wherein the bracket 32 hasa rectangular configuration. The outline 36 of the scoring on thebracket 32 is clearly seen, and the outline 38 of the aperture of thetemplate 26 is shown as the dotted line, the pattern of which isslightly larger than the score outline pattern 36 on the glass bracket32.

A weighted, pliable, elongated roller means 40 is axially supported bybearing means 42 at each end of roller means 40, which bearing means 42are connected by chain drive means 44 which move within a guide means 46extending along the length of the support table. The chain drive meansmove about sprocket wheels 48 at each end of the guide means 46. One ofthe sprocket wheels 48 is driven by drive chain 50 which extends betweensprocket wheel 48 and gear reducer 52 and drive motor 54. The pliableroller means 40 can thus be advanced by rolling back and forth along thelength of the support table 18. A roller support platform 56 ispreferably mounted from the vertical frame 14, above the support table18 so that the roller means 40 is initially supported above the table 18and the conveyor means 28. A ramp portion 58 is provided for-platform 56so that the roller means 40 can be readily moved into contact with thetop surface of the conveyor means. The ramp portion 58 should be highenough above the conveyor belt to permit a glass bracket to pass underthe ramp and support platform when the conveyor means is used to advancethe broken-out glass bracket to the next processing position orapparatus in an in-line mode of operation.

Glass bracket alignment and positioning means 60 are indicated generallyin FIG. 2 comprising stop members 62 which are movable into positionjust over the surface of conveyor means 28 for stopping the glassbracket 32 over the template 26. The stop members 62 can extend fromoverhead supports, not shown, and are movable down over the conveyormeans to stop the glass bracket, at which time the vacuum hold-downsystem can be actuated. The stop members can then be raised out of theway of the travel path of the roller 40 until the next glass bracket isadvanced. The stop members have converging inclined surface portions 64which guide or direct the glass bracket into correct alignment. The stopmembers can also be easily moved into position from the sides of theconveyor means. The glass bracket is generally aligned in the center ofconveyor means 28 when it is loaded thereon, and the converging inclinedsurface portions 64 of the stop members 62 serve to more accuratelyalign the bracket. Any number of other alignment and positioning meanswell known in the art can be utilized in practicing the presentinvention. Such means can comprise positively acting guide members whichare moved toward the center line of the conveyor as the glass bracketadvances to urge the glass bracket to the centers of the conveyor meansand including a positive end stop which stops the glass bracket over andin alignment with the template disposed therebelow. The drive means forthe alignment and positioning means can comprise a simple air cylinderdrive means.

Thus, for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the glass bracket isadvanced from right to left, and is accurately positioned upon thesupport table 18 above the nearly matching template 26.

The pliable roller means 40 is actuated when the glass bracket ispositioned in place over the template. The roller means moves from leftto right and back to the starting position after passing over the glassbracket. The cooperative action of the pliable roller means 40 applyinga uniform pressure to the glass bracket and the supporting of the glassbracket proximate the prescored pattern by the template effects abreakout of the desired pattern. The action is similar to a handbreakout, and the edges of the resultant glass pattern are smooth andperpendicular as desired. A ramp and platform can also be provided atthe opposite end of the support table, since the roller means 40 willalso effect the breakout in a single pass, as from left to right inFIGS. 1 and 2. The roller means 40 would then roll onto the righthandplatform which is not shown,

and after the next glass bracet is advanced into position, the roller isactuated to move from right to left in breaking out the bracket. Asingle pass of the roller over the glass bracket is sufficient to effectthe breakout.

The pliable roller means 40 will be described in greater detail by wayof an example of the preferred structure. The roller means 40 preferablyis formed as a relatively thin fluid-tight resilient housing 68 ofrubberous material such as polyurethane, which is abrasion resistant andfilled with fluid, which is for example water. The resiliency of thehousing and fluid filling actually provides a sausage-like rollerstructure which sags at the central portion which passes over thecentral portion of the glass bracket. The dimensions of the roller ofcourse depend upon the bracket size and thickness. Typically a roller ofabout 34 inches in length and about inches in diameter has been founduseful for breaking out 0.25 inch plate soda lime glass brackets whichare about 23 inches wide. The fluid within the roller is sufficient toprovide a weight of about 3 pounds per lineal inch along the length ofthe roller. The roller when filled with fluid exhibits a hardness of25-30 durometers when tested with a Shore A hardness test apparatus. Theroller should be longer than the width of the glass bracket to overlapthe bracket and provide the proper bending moment for breaking out theglass pattern. The speed of movement of the roller across the glassbracket is not critical, and a lineal speed of about 1 second per foothas been found convenient.

While the roller has been described as being fluid filled, the fluid canbe substituted for by finely divided solid material or pellets, whichprovide sufficient weight and resiliency for the roller.

The belt '68 of conveyor means 28 is a friction surface material whichrestrains the glass bracket in position when the roller is advanced overthe bracket. It may be desirable to include a more positive restrainingmeans for holding the glass bracket in place Such a means is generallyindicated in the drawings in that belt 68 has a plurality of apertures70 provided therethrough and matching apertures are provided in thetemplate and the template support. A vacuum suction means showngenerally as 72 in FIG. 1 is connected to the frame 22 of table 18 todefine a plenum chamber which has openings through the apertures 70, andthus a hold down suction can thus be applied to restrain the glassbracket in position.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a breakout apparatus of thepresent invention with glass bracket feed means and removal means. Inthis embodiment the glass bracket advances from left to right. The glassbracket is cut to the approximate size at automatic shape cutter table74 which includes an integral vacuum hold-down system, which isconventional and was already described with respect to the breakoutapparatus. An integral conveyor means 76 advances the glass bracket fromcutter table 74 to stencil station 78 where the bracket is scored to thedesired final pattern. Stencil station 78 also includes an integralvacuum hold-down system. The glass bracket is now ready to betransferred to the breakout apparatus 84 which is constructed basicallyas already described except that a conveyor means 82 is movabletransverse to the direction of advance of the glass bracket, as is thedisposition and movement of the pliable roller means 84. A vacuum cupglass transfer means 86 is disposed above the stencil station 78 and thebreakout apparatus 80, whereby the glass bracket can be engaged andlifted, then shifted to the next station and deposited very accuratelyin place.

Such vacuum cup transfer means 86 is well known in the art and is shownschematically in FIG. 4. Such means generally comprise a plurality ofvertical vacuum cup support arms depending from a movable carriage 88which is vertically movable and transversely movable to effectuatetransfer of the engaged glass bracket. Vacuum cup engagement means areprovided at the extending ends of the support arms, which engagementmeans communicate with a vacuum system which is selectively actuated toeffect engagement with the glass bracket. The carriage means 88 movesalong the carriage support means 90 which extends from the stencilstation 78 to a discharge station 92 beyond the breakout apparatus 80.

The glass bracket is loaded at the left-hand side of FIG. 4 onto thecutter table and, after the bracket is trimmed, it is advanced onconveyor 76 to the stencil station 78 where the desired pattern isscored on the bracket. The vacuum cup transfer means 86 is then actuatedto engage the scored bracket, lift it, and transversely move it to thebreakout apparatus 80. The glass bracket is set down accurately upon thebreakout apparatus above the template and the transfer means 86 islifted out of the way while the roller 84 is actuated to effect thebreakout. Transfer means 86 is again actuated to engage the broken-outpattern, lifting it from conveyor 82 and moving it to discharge station92 where the pattern is disengaged as by placing it on a furtherconveyor means. The conveyor 82 associated with the breakout apparatus80 is movable transverse to the direction of glass breakout travel, asis the roller 84. Conveyor means 82 is actuated after the breakoutpattern has been transferred therefrom, to remove the cullet orremaining glass from the bracket disposed thereon from the breakoutapparatus for recycling.

In the embodiment described, the resilient support for the glass bracketcomprised a conveyor means integral with the support table of thebreakout apparatus. A stationary resilient support means can be utilizedsupported by the support table. Means would of course have to beprovided for placing and removing the bracket from the resilient supportmeans.

The apparatus and method described provides for the rotational movementof the roller over the restrained glass bracket to effect the breakout.It is of course possible to move the glass bracket workpiece relative tothe roller, and pass the workpiece under the roller with sufficientforce being exerted to effect breakout.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for breaking out a prescored glass pattern from a glassbracket which bracket is supported upon a template of the correspondingpattern, comprismg:

a. a support table having a generally horizontal top surface with atemplate disposable thereon, which template is larger than the prescoredpattern on the glass bracket;

b. resilient support means supported by the support table and disposedover the template to support the glass bracket;

0. glass bracket alignment and retaining means associated with thesupport table for positioning said glass bracket relative to thetemplate upon the resilient support means; and

d. a pliable, elongated, rotatable roller mounted above the supporttable, and coupled to means for moving the roller relative to the glassbracket to contact the roller and the glass bracket, with the rollerrotatably passing over the prescored pattern whereby the glass willcleanly break along the prescored pattern.

2. The apparatus specified in claim ll, wherein a support platform isprovided above the resilient support means to support said roller abovethe glass bracket permitting the glass bracket to freely pass under theroller and platform.

3. The apparatus specified in claim 2, wherein said support platformincludes a ramp portion directed toward the resilient support meanswhereby the roller is rotatably movable from the support platform ontothe resilient support means and glass bracket.

4. The apparatus specified in claim 3, wherein the means for moving theroller relative to the glass bracket comprise drive means coupled tobearings at each end of the roller for rotatably advancing the rolleracross the prescored pattern.

5. The apparatus specified in claim 4, wherein said drive meansrotatably advances the roller across the prescored pattern and back tothe initial roller position upon the roller support platform.

6. The apparatus specified in claim 1, wherein the resilient supportmeans comprises an integral conveyor means which also advances the glassbracket into engagement with the alignment and retaining means.

7. The apparatus specified in claim 6, wherein the support table andintegral conveyor means are perforated and a suction means is connectedto the underside of the support table for retaining the glass bracket inposition when the suction means is actuated.

8. The apparatus specified in claim 1, wherein the pliable elongatedroller comprises a resilient housing which is filled with fluid.

9. The apparatus specified in claim 1, wherein the pliable elongatedroller provides a breakout force of approximately three pounds perlineal inch of roller length.

10. The apparatus specified in claim 1, wherein the pliable elongatedroller is mounted with its longitudinal axis transverse to the directionof travel of the glass bracket, whereby the roller is rotatably moved inthe direction of glass bracket travel to effectuate the breakout.

11. The apparatus specified in claim 1, wherein means are provided fortransferring the broken out pattern from the resilient support means,and wherein the resilient support means comprises an integral conveyormeans upon which the remaining glass cullet is disposed, and whichconveyor means is operative to remove the glass cullet for recyclingafter the broken out pattern has been removed.

12. Method of breaking out prescored glass from a glass bracket disposedupon a support member and a rigid template which is patterned largerthan the prescored pattern on the glass bracket comprising;

forceably contacting the glass bracketwith a rotatable weighted pliableelongated roller which is longer than the width of the glass bracket toflex the glass bracket relative to the template to sever the glass alongthe prescored lines.

13. The method specified in claim 12, wherein the roller is rotatablyadvanced across the glass bracket.

14. The method specified in claim 12, wherein the roller applies a forceof about three pounds per lineal inch of roller length to the glassbracket.

1. Apparatus for breaking out a prescored glass pattern from a glassbracket which bracket is supported upon a template of the correspondingpattern, comprising: a. a support table having a generally horizontaltop surface with a template disposable thereon, which template is largerthan the prescored pattern on the glass bracket; b. resilient supportmeans supported by the support table and disposed over the template tosupport the glass bracket; c. glass bracket alignment and retainingmeans associated with the support table for positioning said glassbracket relative to the template upon the resilient support means; andd. a pliable, elongated, rotatable roller mounted above the supporttable, and coupled to means for moving the roller relative to the glassbracket to contact the roller and the glass bracket, with the rollerrotatably passing over the prescored pattern whereby the glass willcleanly break along the prescored pattern.
 2. The apparatus specified inclaim 1, wherein a support platform is provided above the resilientsupport means to support said roller above the glass bracket permittingthe glass bracket to freely pass under the roller and platform.
 3. Theapparatus specified in claim 2, wherein said support platform includes aramp portion directed toward the resilient support means whereby theroller is rotatably movable from the support platform onto the resilientsupport means and glass bracket.
 4. The apparatus specified in claim 3,wherein the means for moving the roller relative to the glass bracketcomprise drive means coupled to bearings at each end of the roller forrotatably advancing the roller across the prescored pattern.
 5. Theapparatus specified in claim 4, wherein said drive means rotatablyadvances the roller across the prescored pattern and back to the initialroller position upon the roller support platform.
 6. The apparatusspecified in claim 1, wherein the resilient support means comprises anintegral conveyor means which also advances the glass bracket intoengagement with the alignment and retaining means.
 7. The apparatusspecified in claim 6, wherein the support table and integral conveyormeans are perforated and a suction means is connected to the undersideof the support table for retaining the glass bracket in position whenthe suction means is actuated.
 8. The apparatus specified in claim 1,wherein the pliable elongated roller comprises a resilient housing whichis filled with fluid.
 9. The apparatus specified in claim 1, wherein thepliable elongated roller provides a breakout force of approximatelythree pounds per lineal inch of roller length.
 10. The apparatusspecified in claim 1, wherein the pliable elongated roller is mountedwith its longitudinal axis transverse to the direction of travel of theglass bracket, whereby the roller is rotatably moved in the direction ofglass bracket travel to effectuate the breakout.
 11. The apparatusspecified in claim 1, wherein means are provided for transferring thebroken out pattern from the resilient support means, and wherein theresilient support means comprises an integral conveyor means upon whichthe remaining glass cullet is disposed, and which conveyor means isoperative to remove the glass cullet for recycling after the broken outpattern has been removed.
 12. Method of breaking out prescored glassfrom a glass bracket disposed upon a support member and a rigid templatewhich is patterned larger than the prescored pattern on the glassbracket comprising; forceably contacting the glass bracket with arotatable weighted pliable elongated roller which is longer than thewidth of the glass bracket to flex the Glass bracket relative to thetemplate to sever the glass along the prescored lines.
 13. The methodspecified in claim 12, wherein the roller is rotatably advanced acrossthe glass bracket.
 14. The method specified in claim 12, wherein theroller applies a force of about three pounds per lineal inch of rollerlength to the glass bracket.